Video: Vic Mensa - 'Rage'

Prepping for the release of his debut album, The Autobiography, Vic Mensa delivers an empowering anthem and video to match with “Rage.”

Much like the song’s opening vocals, the visual begins on a calm note, as Vic sits on a private jet, overlooking the beautiful clouds outside. But there is a battle within, and turbulence soon reflects that, while Mensa begins drinking and popping pills.

As the plane crashes down and he finds himself underwater, Victor raps about his internal struggles with addiction and depression.

“How many thousand of kids would like to have mine?” he raps.” Without a clue about the times I’d give my life to have time / I’m tired of waiting / Tired of chasing pills that I’m tired of taking / Tired of court cases, tired of judges / Tired of saying, ‘Fuck it.'”

By the time the track ends, Vic escapes the flames from the crash, rids himself of constraints, and swims to the shore. Triumphantly, he stands up and overlooks the wreckage that he was able to overcome.

“This music video & song were done before the rest of the album was recorded,” Mensa told The FADER. “[It] really laid the foundation for the emotions that would become The Autobiography.”

Mensa is heading out on Justin Bieber’s “Purpose” Stadium Tour, which kicks off July 29 in Arlington and runs through Sept. 6 in Toronto. The Autobiography is due July 28 featuring Weezer, Syd, The-Dream, and Pharrell Williams.